Forest Green Rovers 2-4 Hartlepool United

Hartlepool United ended a six-match losing run with a 4-2 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the Enterprise National League at the New Lawn.

In an entertaining six-goal contest, the visitors secured a vital win thanks to braces from Jordan Hugill and Nathan Sheron, including two superb long-range strikes.

Rovers mounted a comeback around the hour mark, scoring twice in quick succession through Omari Patrick, from close range, and Kyle McAllister, from the penalty spot. However, Pools defended resolutely to hold on for three important points.

Pete Wild made five changes to his starting XI, with Luke Charman making his first competitive start in eight months. Hugill, new signing Jack Earing, Neo Eccleston and Brooklyn Ilunga were all recalled for the fixture.

Pools created the first chance of the match when Earing read Hugill’s knock-on, but his flicked effort beat Ethan Ross but was hacked clear as the ball rolled towards goal.

Cole Deeming was next to test Ross, from a set piece awarded after Eccleston’s effort was ruled to have been handled on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s strike was tipped around the post by Ross for a corner.

Hartlepool took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Hugill was brought down inside the area. The striker made no mistake from 12 yards, coolly placing his penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.

Pools doubled their advantage within two minutes of the restart, when an unmarked Sheron nodded home following a scramble in the Rovers box.

The visitors were in superb form during the opening 15 minutes of the second half and deservedly added a third when Hugill turned on the edge of the area before expertly picking his spot from 20 yards.

The hosts pulled one back on 64 minutes when Patrick wrapped his foot around the ball from 10 yards out to squeeze his shot beyond Max Thompson.

Rovers then reduced the deficit to one on 70 minutes, when McAllister converted a penalty after Chris Popov brought down Sean Etalukua inside the box.

Pools sealed a much-needed win in the closing stages when Sheron collected a pass from Jack Nolan and thundered a sensational 30-yard strike past Ross.

HUFC XI: Thompson, Hunter ©, McNally, Ilunga, Hugill (Harris 63’), Charman (Thornton 54’), Eccleston, Sheron, Popov (Clark 74’), Deeming, Earing (Nolan 54’)

Subs not used: Fisher, Penman, Bondo.